India’s education system on Sunday received a shot in the arm as Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi announced that a high-powered task force has been constituted on examination reforms, which will be led by Infosys Co-founder Nandan Nilekani. 

The panel, as described by PM Modi, has been tasked with recommending measures to make competitive exams more transparent, reliable and technology-driven. He added that the government’s future course of action would be guided on the basis of the task force’s recommendations to ensure greater integrity in upcoming examinations. 

India’s top political leader announced the establishment of the panel through a post on his official ‘X’ handle, saying the Union Government remains committed to protecting students’ interests and preventing irregularities in the examination process. 

PM says future exams must be transparent, reliable

Addressing students and citizens of the country, PM Modi said the government has already initiated several measures against the ones responsible for exam-related malpractices. He asserted, “Friends, for the future of students, the Government of India is continuously taking several steps. Those who played with the future of students are rotting in jails. We have set up fast-track courts. Tomorrow in Parliament too, we are moving forward in the direction of making a new law with strict legal provisions.”

He also voiced the need for long-term reforms and underscored that the focus should not shift towards building an examination system that inspires confidence among students. He said, “Our examination system should be reliable, our examination system should be transparent, and our examination system should now have the maximum use of technology.” 

He went on to say that the task force would submit its report at the earliest, which shall be followed by the implementation of measures at the hands of the government to ramp up the credibility of future exams. 

Eminent leaders included in the expert panel

Besides Nilekani, the task force comprises experts from various sectors such as education, technology, administration and internal security. These include Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) former chairman S Somanath, Intelligence Bureau’s former director Tapan Deka, IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti, former education secretary Anita Karwal and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena.

Government officials said the panel will recommend structural reforms and technological interventions to improve India’s examination framework and minimise opportunities for malpractice.